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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "% will be for you" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "high court" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
- "mralexross@gala.net" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a next of kin scam.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr. Alexander Ross" <mralexross11@yahoo.co.uk>
Reply-To: mralex.ross11@yahoo.ca
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2011 09:17:42 -0500
Subject: Business Proposal/ Partnership!
Dear Friend,
First of all I want you to know that this is not a Spam mail. Based on what is
going on all over the internet world today people find it very difficult to
believe things like this any more. If you can guarantee me your trust and
honestly I will be able to work with you to present you as the sole
beneficiary to the claim of my late client estate in cash.
I am Alexander Ross, a solicitor at law. I am the personal attorney/sole
executor to the WILL of late client’ who worked as an independent oil Business
magnate in my country and who died in a car crash with his immediate family on
the 12th of Nov 2009. My client left some amount of money which he did not
allocate to any one in his
will which I am aware of. His WILL is going to be administered soon by the
executors and myself. Since know one know about this money except myself as
his attorney during his days. I will be able to process the necessary papers
as a
backing to prove that this portion of the WILL was to you. And with those
documents and a copy of the will in my hand I will enter you into his WILL
statement so that you will be the sole beneficiary to the fund in question.
After the transaction has been accomplished 30% will be for you; 15% to pay
back for the miscellaneous expenses and the balance of the 15% we shall give
to charity within our capacity; then the remaining 55% shall come to me.
Please if
you are interested, I crave your indulgence to please contact me through this
my email address. You will understand that this is a mutual benefit for both
of us and you must keep the secret air tithe.
To indicate your interest and readiness to partner with me you will need to
send the list bellow:
1. Your Full Names:
2. Your current telephone numbers Mobile and a land line if any plus your fax
numbers
3. Your age:
4. Occupation:
5. Your Current address:
6. Marital status:
7. Nationality:
8. Country reside if other than your nationality:
Send your Data to me on my Private Email address: mralexross@gala.net
Or Send it By
This will enable me file necessary documents at our high court probate
division for the release of this sum of money in your favor. I intend to
invest my shares in your country under your management in any viable business
venture.
I will send you more details as soon as I hear from you, thanks. Please get
back to me through this my personal email address.
Yours faithfully,
Alexander Ross.
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